The Power of Consistency: What I've Learned About Building a Creative Practice

When I launched Casa Deseño last year, I thought I had it all figured out. I'd been creating art for years, doing art commissions, participating in exhibitions, leading workshops, and working on design projects. But starting my own creative business? That was a whole different challenge that taught me lessons I never expected.

Like many of us, I used to chase the perfect piece, the breakthrough moment, or that one project that would change everything. I'd scroll through endless inspiration feeds, bookmark tutorials I'd never watch, and dream about the day my work would be recognised in ways I'd always imagined. But this past year has taught me something crucial: consistency beats perfection every single time.

I'm sharing this not as someone who has it all figured out, but as a fellow creative who's learning these lessons right alongside you. Some days I nail my consistency practice; other days I struggle with it. But the journey itself has been transformative, and I think you might relate to some of what I've experienced.

Why I Started Taking Consistency Seriously

Think about the artists we all admire. Picasso didn't become legendary overnight—he created over 50,000 artworks throughout his career, consistently dedicating himself to his craft for decades. Frida Kahlo built her iconic style through years of persistent self-portraits and artistic exploration. When I really looked at their journeys, I realised something: it wasn't just talent that made them iconic; it was their commitment to showing up consistently.

This hit me personally when I was preparing work for exhibitions. The pieces that felt most authentically "mine" weren't the ones I'd stressed over for weeks trying to make perfect. They were the ones that came from months of regular practice, where my style had naturally evolved through consistent experimentation.

What I Discovered About the Psychology of Showing Up

There's actually science behind why consistency works so well for creatives. Psychologists refer to it as the "mere exposure effect"—people tend to gravitate toward things they repeatedly see. I started noticing this in my own work when I began posting more regularly. Potential clients needed to see my work multiple times before they felt comfortable reaching out for commissions or collaborations.

Through my own experience this past year, I've learned that when you maintain regular creative habits, several things start happening:

Your skills compound in ways that surprise you. I've been amazed at how much my work has evolved just from showing up consistently. Each day of practice builds on the last, creating growth that feels almost magical but is really just the result of steady effort over time.

People start to trust your process. When I was inconsistent with sharing my work or communicating with clients, people weren't sure if I was serious about my craft. But as I became more reliable in my creative practice, clients began to trust that I'd deliver quality work on time.

Your authentic voice emerges naturally. I used to worry so much about finding my "style." But consistency taught me that style isn't something you find—it's something that develops when you show up regularly and let your natural preferences guide your work.

You build resilience through rejection. I won't lie—I've been rejected many times. Gallery submissions, Open calls for art residency, client proposals, and collaboration pitches. It's completely normal in the creative world, but consistency taught me not to give up. Each "no" became less personal and more like data. When you're consistently creating and putting yourself out there, rejection becomes just part of the process rather than something that derails you entirely.

Opportunities start finding you. The more consistently I showed up in the creative community, the more collaborations, exhibitions, and projects started coming my way. It's like being in the right place at the right time becomes more likely when you're consistently present.

What Consistency Actually Looks Like (And My Mistakes Along the Way)

Let me be honest about what I got wrong when I first started focusing on consistency. I thought it meant:

• Posting on social media every single day (burned out after two weeks, no offence to those who kept posting)

• Working long hours without breaks (hello, creative block!)

• Never taking time off (terrible idea)

• Creating the same type of work repeatedly (so boring)

• Churning out quantity over quality (my work suffered)

  
  

What I've learned through trial and error is that real, sustainable consistency is about creating rhythms that work with your life, not against it. Here's what actually works for me now:

I have a weekly creative ritual. Tuesday mornings are sacred for me—that's when I experiment with new techniques or work on personal projects. It's become something I genuinely look forward to rather than another obligation.

I share my work, but authentically. I used to only post "perfect" finished pieces, which meant I barely posted at all. Now I share my process, behind-the-scenes moments, and even work-in-progress shots (still getting there, when the introvert in me strikes in). People seem to connect more with the journey than just the destination.

I focus on systems, not just goals. Instead of overwhelming myself with "I'll complete 10 pieces this month," I commit to "I'll spend 30 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday working on my art." It's sustainable and actually gets results. Having a system is non-negotiable for me, whether working in corporate or being in this creative journey now.

I track my progress visually. I keep photos of my daily sketches and mark consistent work days on my calendar. Seeing the visual proof of my consistency motivates me to keep going, especially on days when I don't feel like creating.

The Struggles I Still Face (Maybe You Do Too?)

Even though I believe in consistency, I still struggle with some things:

Perfectionism still creeps in. Sometimes I catch myself waiting until something is "perfect" before sharing it. I'm getting better at remembering that done is better than perfect, and my audience wants to see growth, not just polished final pieces.

The comparison trap is real. Social media makes it so easy to compare my behind-the-scenes struggles with everyone else's highlight reels. I'm learning to focus on my own growth trajectory rather than measuring myself against others.

All-or-nothing thinking. When I miss a day of my creative routine, part of me wants to give up entirely. I'm getting better at just getting back on track the next day instead of abandoning everything.

Finding clear direction. Sometimes I drift without specific goals. I've learned to set concrete, small targets like "I'll complete 2 portfolio pieces this quarter" rather than vague intentions like "I want to be a better artist."

How Consistency Has Changed My Relationship with Clients

This might be the biggest lesson I've learned: trust is everything in creative work. When potential clients evaluate artists and designers, they're really asking:

• Are you serious about your work, or is this just a side project?

• Will you follow through on commitments and meet deadlines?

• Can they expect quality, evolving work from you?

• Are you someone they can recommend to their colleagues?

  
  

What I've discovered is that clients can sense consistency. When they see that I:

• Share my authentic work regularly

• Communicate proactively throughout projects

• Continuously work on improving my skills

• Maintain professional standards even in small interactions

  
  

...they feel more confident working with me, even though Casa Deseño is still relatively new.

What This Journey Has Taught Me So Far

I'm still learning, but here's what I can share from my experience:

Months 1-3 were tough. I was building habits and systems, and results weren't dramatic. I almost quit several times because progress felt so slow.

Months 4-6 brought small wins. I started noticing improvements in my work and workflow. Other creatives began recognizing my consistent presence in the community.

Months 7-12 showed real change. My network grew, and being an introvert, it takes a leap of faith. Opportunities started coming, and things gravitated towards me rather than me always chasing them. To be honest, rejection is still there.

Now, looking ahead: I'm building a reputation for reliability. Referrals and being part of a community are becoming a bigger source of new projects. My skills have grown in ways that honestly surprise me, too. I never thought I could do this.

If You Want to Start Your Own Consistency Practice

Based on what's worked for me (and what hasn't), here's what I'd suggest:

Start small and realistic. Choose one platform where you'll share work regularly. Set a schedule you can actually maintain long-term. I started with just Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Create simple systems. Batch create content when you're inspired. Develop easy templates for different types of posts. Plan your content mix ahead of time so you're not scrambling.

Track what matters. Focus on metrics that actually impact your creative career: quality connections, skill improvements, meaningful project inquiries, and portfolio evolution.

Be patient with the process. The compound effect of consistency isn't obvious at first, but it becomes powerful over time.

Where I'm Headed Next

I'm still figuring things out, honestly. Casa Deseño is growing, my art practice is evolving, and I'm constantly learning new things about running a creative business. But what I know for sure is that consistency has been the foundation that's made everything else possible.

Let's Build Our Creative Practices Together

I'm sharing all this because I believe we grow stronger as a creative community when we're honest about our journeys—the wins and the struggles alike. Casa Deseño might be new, but it's built on years of creative work and the lessons I've learned along the way.

Want to connect? I'd love to hear about your own consistency journey and creative goals. Visit my website, www.casadeseno.com, to see my work and learn about the art commissions, design collaborations, and creative partnerships I'm offering. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your practice to the next level, let's explore how we might work together.

Fellow creative to another: What's one small step you could take today to build more consistency into your creative practice? I'm always eager to connect with other artists and designers who are committed to growing their craft alongside building sustainable practices.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply show up, consistently, as ourselves.